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Ranking obnoxious SEC football fans
Thursday, 21 August 2008
Any partisan can nettle a neutral. That’s the difference between passion and dispassion. And I, it must be stipulated, get paid to be neutral. So maybe I’m not the best judge.
On the other hand, I saw my first SEC game in 1969 and covered my first conference game in 1976, and over time I’ve visited each of the league’s 12 outposts. So I’ve had the opportunity to observe and collate, and today, as a preseason public service, I present this ranking of SEC football fans, starting with the least irritating and culminating with the truly insufferable.
12. Mississippi State: The only time State fans get really upset is when you make fun of their rustic town. I know this from experience. But you know what? If I’d have been a Starkvillian and read what I wrote back in 2005, I’d have gotten ticked, too.
11. Kentucky: No, not because I’m an alum. Because, contrary to popular belief, the world’s worst basketball fans actually care about football. Unlike in hoops, though, they’re not ready to fire their coach after a loss. Good thing, since the football ‘Cats lose a lot.
10. Vanderbilt: The best thing about Vandy is its academics. The worst thing about Vandy fans is their insistence in hitting you over the head with those academics. If the Commodores don’t care about winning, why are in they in this cutthroat league?
9. Ole Miss: There really aren’t that many Rebel fans, but half of that number feels the burning need to emulate William Faulkner - he was from Oxford and spent a year at the university - and write long and difficult books about Ole Miss football.
8. LSU: Winning fans tend to be the most overstated, but somehow Tiger backers manage to stay relatively polite even when they’re bragging about all their national championships. Maybe it’s because they know, win or lose, they’ll always have the best food.
7. Tennessee: Being a Kentuckian by birth and a Georgian for 24 years, I’m supposed to be disposed to hate UT fans. Sorry, but I never have. Don’t mind all the orange. Don’t mind hearing “Rocky Top” a thousand times. Don’t know why I don’t, but there it is.
6. South Carolina: Sisyphus would be a Gamecock. These fans keep showing up, sure that this will finally be be their year. When this year turns out no different from all others, they simply shrug and show up the next year. Kind of sad, but also kind of admirable.
5. Arkansas: It was over the top for Hog fans to file Freedom of Information requests to gain access to Houston Nutt’s cell phone records, but it was over the top in an amusing way. One word of warning: Don’t try that stuff with Bobby Petrino. He’ll just up and leave.
4. Alabama: Tide fans used to be the best at being boorish, but now they’re just irrelevant. They don’t have any reason to strut anymore, so they have to make do with whining about how Tennessee cheats twice as much as Bama but never gets penalized for it.
3. Georgia: Too many grown-up Bulldog fans continue to believe that a game cannot be properly enjoyed without consuming mass quantities of alcohol. A tip: Just because you’re going to watch college football doesn’t give you license to act like you’re still in college.
2. Auburn: Taking their lead from the preening Tommy Tuberville, Auburn people won’t shut up about how they’ve come to dominate Alabama. This is precisely the thing that used to frost these same folks when they were being dominated. They have become what they beheld.
1. Florida: Gator fans didn’t become obnoxious when Steve Spurrier started beating everybody. They were obnoxious when their team couldn’t win the SEC to save its life. And for all Floridians still irked by Georgia’s celebration, here are two words to Google: Gator Flop.
On the other hand, I saw my first SEC game in 1969 and covered my first conference game in 1976, and over time I’ve visited each of the league’s 12 outposts. So I’ve had the opportunity to observe and collate, and today, as a preseason public service, I present this ranking of SEC football fans, starting with the least irritating and culminating with the truly insufferable.
12. Mississippi State: The only time State fans get really upset is when you make fun of their rustic town. I know this from experience. But you know what? If I’d have been a Starkvillian and read what I wrote back in 2005, I’d have gotten ticked, too.
11. Kentucky: No, not because I’m an alum. Because, contrary to popular belief, the world’s worst basketball fans actually care about football. Unlike in hoops, though, they’re not ready to fire their coach after a loss. Good thing, since the football ‘Cats lose a lot.
10. Vanderbilt: The best thing about Vandy is its academics. The worst thing about Vandy fans is their insistence in hitting you over the head with those academics. If the Commodores don’t care about winning, why are in they in this cutthroat league?
9. Ole Miss: There really aren’t that many Rebel fans, but half of that number feels the burning need to emulate William Faulkner - he was from Oxford and spent a year at the university - and write long and difficult books about Ole Miss football.
8. LSU: Winning fans tend to be the most overstated, but somehow Tiger backers manage to stay relatively polite even when they’re bragging about all their national championships. Maybe it’s because they know, win or lose, they’ll always have the best food.
7. Tennessee: Being a Kentuckian by birth and a Georgian for 24 years, I’m supposed to be disposed to hate UT fans. Sorry, but I never have. Don’t mind all the orange. Don’t mind hearing “Rocky Top” a thousand times. Don’t know why I don’t, but there it is.
6. South Carolina: Sisyphus would be a Gamecock. These fans keep showing up, sure that this will finally be be their year. When this year turns out no different from all others, they simply shrug and show up the next year. Kind of sad, but also kind of admirable.
5. Arkansas: It was over the top for Hog fans to file Freedom of Information requests to gain access to Houston Nutt’s cell phone records, but it was over the top in an amusing way. One word of warning: Don’t try that stuff with Bobby Petrino. He’ll just up and leave.
4. Alabama: Tide fans used to be the best at being boorish, but now they’re just irrelevant. They don’t have any reason to strut anymore, so they have to make do with whining about how Tennessee cheats twice as much as Bama but never gets penalized for it.
3. Georgia: Too many grown-up Bulldog fans continue to believe that a game cannot be properly enjoyed without consuming mass quantities of alcohol. A tip: Just because you’re going to watch college football doesn’t give you license to act like you’re still in college.
2. Auburn: Taking their lead from the preening Tommy Tuberville, Auburn people won’t shut up about how they’ve come to dominate Alabama. This is precisely the thing that used to frost these same folks when they were being dominated. They have become what they beheld.
1. Florida: Gator fans didn’t become obnoxious when Steve Spurrier started beating everybody. They were obnoxious when their team couldn’t win the SEC to save its life. And for all Floridians still irked by Georgia’s celebration, here are two words to Google: Gator Flop.
Beth Ann Chester sentenced to prison
Beth Ann Chester, a former teacher, has been sentenced to 1 and 1/2 to 3 years in prison for having sex with a student, according to the Pittsburgh Gazette.
Beth Ann Chester used to be a health and gym teacher at Moon Area High School until authorities learned she had a sexual relationship with a 14 year old boy. Chester made matters much worse for herself when she continued to send the boy explicit text messages, after police were already investigating the crime.
It was a much more contrite Chester who appeared before Common Pleas Judge David R. Cashman.
"I wanted to apologize to everyone," Chester told the judge during her sentencing. "I know this is the punishment I deserve. I'm really sorry for everything."
Beth Ann Chester used to be a health and gym teacher at Moon Area High School until authorities learned she had a sexual relationship with a 14 year old boy. Chester made matters much worse for herself when she continued to send the boy explicit text messages, after police were already investigating the crime.
It was a much more contrite Chester who appeared before Common Pleas Judge David R. Cashman.
"I wanted to apologize to everyone," Chester told the judge during her sentencing. "I know this is the punishment I deserve. I'm really sorry for everything."
NFLPA head Gene Upshaw dead at 63 of cancer
NEW YORK (AP) — Gene Upshaw, the Hall of Fame guard who during a quarter century as union head helped get NFL players free agency and the riches that came with it, has died. He was 63.
Upshaw died Wednesday night at his home in Lake Tahoe, Calif., of pancreatic cancer, which was diagnosed only last Sunday, the NFL Players Association said Thursday. His wife Terri and sons Eugene Jr., Justin and Daniel were by his side.
"Gene Upshaw did everything with great dignity, pride, and conviction," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said.
"He was the rare individual who earned his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame both for his accomplishments on the field and for his leadership of the players off the field. He fought hard for the players and always kept his focus on what was best for the game. His leadership played a crucial role in taking the NFL and its players to new heights."
News of Upshaw's death first came through a Clear Channel Online report that appeared on several radio Web sites.
Upshaw died only two days after the union announced he would hold a briefing on labor negotiations before the Sept. 4 season opener between Washington and the New York Giants.
His outstanding 15-season playing career was entirely with the Oakland Raiders and included two Super Bowl wins and seven Pro Bowl appearances. Upshaw's biography was posted on the front page of the Hall of Fame Web site Thursday along with his enshrinement speech from 1987.
In 1983, he became executive director of the players' association and guided it through the 1987 strike that led to replacement football. By 1989, the players had a limited form of freedom, called Plan B, and in 1993, free agency and a salary cap were instituted.
Since then, the players have prospered so much that NFL owners recently opted out of the latest labor contract, which was negotiated two years ago by Upshaw and then-commissioner Paul Tagliabue.
Upshaw was criticized by some for not being tough enough in talks with Tagliabue, a close friend of the union head. He also was blamed by many older veterans for not dealing sufficiently with their health concerns.
But the salary cap for this season is $116 million and the players are making close to 60 percent of the 32 teams' total revenues, as specified in the 2006 agreement. In all, the players will be paid $4.5 billion this year, according to owners.
Upshaw recently became more aggressive in his dealings with the owners and Tagliabue's successor, Roger Goodell. Owners opted out of the collective bargaining agreement, which means a season without a salary cap in 2010. Upshaw declared the cap would disappear for good should there be no new deal by March 2010.
"I'm not going to sell the players on a cap again," Upshaw said. "Once we go through the cap, why should we agree to it again?"
NFL officials claimed players are getting a disproportionate amount of the revenue. Upshaw's supporters said management's viewpoint indicates he did his job well.
The players called a strike in 1987 — leading to games with replacements — and it wasn't until 1993 that labor peace was reached with a breakthrough seven-year contract. It included free agency and a salary cap. Almost ever since, player salaries have spiraled up along with revenue from television and marketing deals made by the league.
The NFLPA also has its own marketing arm, Players Inc., established in 1994, that has grown into a multimillion dollar operation.
Upshaw also negotiated the first-ever union agreement for Arena Football League players.
"He was a tough negotiator but always reasonable and respectful with the ultimate goal of growing the game," said the league's acting commissioner, Ed Policy.
Frequently listed as one of the most powerful men in U.S. sports, Upshaw was drafted in the first round by Oakland in 1967 out of Texas A&I — hardly a football factory. He was an NAIA All-American at center, tackle and end, but was switched to left guard by the Raiders.
And that's where he stayed through a magnificent career that included 10 conference championship games as well as the Super Bowl victories.
Upshaw died Wednesday night at his home in Lake Tahoe, Calif., of pancreatic cancer, which was diagnosed only last Sunday, the NFL Players Association said Thursday. His wife Terri and sons Eugene Jr., Justin and Daniel were by his side.
"Gene Upshaw did everything with great dignity, pride, and conviction," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said.
"He was the rare individual who earned his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame both for his accomplishments on the field and for his leadership of the players off the field. He fought hard for the players and always kept his focus on what was best for the game. His leadership played a crucial role in taking the NFL and its players to new heights."
News of Upshaw's death first came through a Clear Channel Online report that appeared on several radio Web sites.
Upshaw died only two days after the union announced he would hold a briefing on labor negotiations before the Sept. 4 season opener between Washington and the New York Giants.
His outstanding 15-season playing career was entirely with the Oakland Raiders and included two Super Bowl wins and seven Pro Bowl appearances. Upshaw's biography was posted on the front page of the Hall of Fame Web site Thursday along with his enshrinement speech from 1987.
In 1983, he became executive director of the players' association and guided it through the 1987 strike that led to replacement football. By 1989, the players had a limited form of freedom, called Plan B, and in 1993, free agency and a salary cap were instituted.
Since then, the players have prospered so much that NFL owners recently opted out of the latest labor contract, which was negotiated two years ago by Upshaw and then-commissioner Paul Tagliabue.
Upshaw was criticized by some for not being tough enough in talks with Tagliabue, a close friend of the union head. He also was blamed by many older veterans for not dealing sufficiently with their health concerns.
But the salary cap for this season is $116 million and the players are making close to 60 percent of the 32 teams' total revenues, as specified in the 2006 agreement. In all, the players will be paid $4.5 billion this year, according to owners.
Upshaw recently became more aggressive in his dealings with the owners and Tagliabue's successor, Roger Goodell. Owners opted out of the collective bargaining agreement, which means a season without a salary cap in 2010. Upshaw declared the cap would disappear for good should there be no new deal by March 2010.
"I'm not going to sell the players on a cap again," Upshaw said. "Once we go through the cap, why should we agree to it again?"
NFL officials claimed players are getting a disproportionate amount of the revenue. Upshaw's supporters said management's viewpoint indicates he did his job well.
The players called a strike in 1987 — leading to games with replacements — and it wasn't until 1993 that labor peace was reached with a breakthrough seven-year contract. It included free agency and a salary cap. Almost ever since, player salaries have spiraled up along with revenue from television and marketing deals made by the league.
The NFLPA also has its own marketing arm, Players Inc., established in 1994, that has grown into a multimillion dollar operation.
Upshaw also negotiated the first-ever union agreement for Arena Football League players.
"He was a tough negotiator but always reasonable and respectful with the ultimate goal of growing the game," said the league's acting commissioner, Ed Policy.
Frequently listed as one of the most powerful men in U.S. sports, Upshaw was drafted in the first round by Oakland in 1967 out of Texas A&I — hardly a football factory. He was an NAIA All-American at center, tackle and end, but was switched to left guard by the Raiders.
And that's where he stayed through a magnificent career that included 10 conference championship games as well as the Super Bowl victories.
At noon, WFTV, WKMG promote their Fay projections
Monday, 18 August 2008
The National Hurricane Center tells us where storms are headed, but so do local stations.
At noon Monday, WKMG-Channel 6 and WFTV-Channel 9 were stressing how they saw the path of Tropical Storm Fay. And they weren't shy about promoting their efforts.
There's a lesson here: It's good to look around to see how differently the stations are doing things.
At WFTV, meteorologist Brian Shields noted that the ABC affiliate had issued its own storm track at 4:30 a.m. "We switched the track here, and it's still on track according to us," Shields said. "The National Hurricane Center [is] coming a little bit more in line with what we've been thinking through the morning hours."
Shields added, "We think our thinking has been right."
At noon, both lines -- WFTV's and the revised one from the hurricane center -- showed Fay hitting Central Florida with strong winds starting late Tuesday and continuing through Wednesday.
On WKMG, chief meteorologist Tom Sorrells offered a forecast track from his Viper radar. It was east of the hurricane center's forecast and predicted that Fay would move toward Melbourne late Tuesday.
"There's the official path, there's the Vipir Local 6 forecast path," Sorrells said, stressing the difference.
WKMG meteorologist Eric Wilson added that the winds would turn bad for Polk and Osceola counties Tuesday night.
At noon Monday, WKMG-Channel 6 and WFTV-Channel 9 were stressing how they saw the path of Tropical Storm Fay. And they weren't shy about promoting their efforts.
There's a lesson here: It's good to look around to see how differently the stations are doing things.
At WFTV, meteorologist Brian Shields noted that the ABC affiliate had issued its own storm track at 4:30 a.m. "We switched the track here, and it's still on track according to us," Shields said. "The National Hurricane Center [is] coming a little bit more in line with what we've been thinking through the morning hours."
Shields added, "We think our thinking has been right."
At noon, both lines -- WFTV's and the revised one from the hurricane center -- showed Fay hitting Central Florida with strong winds starting late Tuesday and continuing through Wednesday.
On WKMG, chief meteorologist Tom Sorrells offered a forecast track from his Viper radar. It was east of the hurricane center's forecast and predicted that Fay would move toward Melbourne late Tuesday.
"There's the official path, there's the Vipir Local 6 forecast path," Sorrells said, stressing the difference.
WKMG meteorologist Eric Wilson added that the winds would turn bad for Polk and Osceola counties Tuesday night.
Hurricane Fay Projected Path Continues to Inch Towards Florida
Hurricane Fay is now ready to strike Florida as citizens prepare and worry about its projected path. The projected path of storms like Hurricane Fay can change frequently, leaving much uncertainly and fear. But the projected path of Hurricane Fay suggests that Hurricane Fay will both be a minimal hurricane by hurricane standards, but may still be stronger than some think. The projected path of Hurricane Fay looks to bring almost a foot of rain to the Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast.
As early as the middle of morning, Hurricane Fay should give parts of Florida bursts of rain and possibly the beginning of some flooding. Sustained winds could go up to 40 MPH as far east as the Wellington area. The afternoon and overnight storms from Hurricane Fay are expected to be the worst, leaving evening rush hour particularly harsh for drivers.
The projected path of Hurricane Fay started in Cuba, where the center of Fay still was at 8 a.m. By mid-morning, Hurricane Fay's path should be into the Florida Straits, where it will head for the Florida Keys by nightfall. Already, visitors to the Florida Keys are being asked to evacuate. By Tuesday, Hurricane Fay should be heading north.
As Fay approaches the Florida Keys, it may pass the hurricane threshold of 74 MPH as it heads for the Florida peninsula. Top winds earlier this morning were at 60 MPH, while the Florida Keys and Miami-Dade County has begun to get severe rain bands. Due to Hurricane Fay's unorganized nature, the exact projected path of Fay has been hard for the National Hurricane Center to get exactly right.
Currently, Fay is projected to first land between Tampa and Ft. Myers, heading northeast but staying to the north of Lake Okeechobee.
Total rainfall of 6-8 inches is expected for Palm Beach Country and the Treasure Coast, though isolated areas could get a foot. Tornados may also be formed in fringe areas.
A hurricane watch is in effect for the Florida Keys, the Florida mainland and provinces of Cuba, with a tropical storm warning for the northwestern Bahamas. The next official update from the National Hurricane Center should come at 11 AM Eastern time.
As early as the middle of morning, Hurricane Fay should give parts of Florida bursts of rain and possibly the beginning of some flooding. Sustained winds could go up to 40 MPH as far east as the Wellington area. The afternoon and overnight storms from Hurricane Fay are expected to be the worst, leaving evening rush hour particularly harsh for drivers.
The projected path of Hurricane Fay started in Cuba, where the center of Fay still was at 8 a.m. By mid-morning, Hurricane Fay's path should be into the Florida Straits, where it will head for the Florida Keys by nightfall. Already, visitors to the Florida Keys are being asked to evacuate. By Tuesday, Hurricane Fay should be heading north.
As Fay approaches the Florida Keys, it may pass the hurricane threshold of 74 MPH as it heads for the Florida peninsula. Top winds earlier this morning were at 60 MPH, while the Florida Keys and Miami-Dade County has begun to get severe rain bands. Due to Hurricane Fay's unorganized nature, the exact projected path of Fay has been hard for the National Hurricane Center to get exactly right.
Currently, Fay is projected to first land between Tampa and Ft. Myers, heading northeast but staying to the north of Lake Okeechobee.
Total rainfall of 6-8 inches is expected for Palm Beach Country and the Treasure Coast, though isolated areas could get a foot. Tornados may also be formed in fringe areas.
A hurricane watch is in effect for the Florida Keys, the Florida mainland and provinces of Cuba, with a tropical storm warning for the northwestern Bahamas. The next official update from the National Hurricane Center should come at 11 AM Eastern time.
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